Following an unforgettable conference championship season, MAU Rugby traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, to compete in the D1AA National Championship at Kuntz Stadium, facing some of the top collegiate rugby programs in the country.
The tournament began on May 1, when the Macaws faced Western Washington University in the national semifinal. Despite a determined effort, MAU fell 36-19 against a talented opponent, setting up a third-place match against Arizona State University.
On May 2, the team had the opportunity to explore Indianapolis together before returning to competition. The time away from the field gave the players a chance to enjoy the experience and strengthen the bond that had fueled their success throughout the season.
The Macaws returned to Kuntz Stadium on May 3 determined to finish the tournament on a high note. MAU delivered a strong performance against Arizona State University, earning the victory and securing third place in the nation to cap off one of the most successful seasons in program history.
“Competing at the D1AA National Championship was an incredible experience for our entire team,” said Bruno Tavanti. “We had the opportunity to face some of the best collegiate rugby programs in the country, which allowed us to test ourselves at the highest level and see how much work we had put in throughout the year. Even though the tournament was extremely challenging and we faced outstanding opponents, we finished with a win and a performance we are proud of. Beyond the results, the experience helped us grow tremendously as players and as a team, while also giving us a valuable lesson in humility.”
Fernando Peroni also reflected on what made the trip so memorable.
“Playing at Nationals was an incredible experience for all of us,” Peroni said. “We spent time together enjoying a truly unique event, one that’s best shared with teammates and friends. Beyond the results, we showed the importance of staying united when facing challenges. We stayed focused on our goal, learned from our mistakes, and improved together every step of the way. Everything we experienced has become a great source of motivation for next season. Our goal is to earn the opportunity to return even stronger, with the ambition of competing for the national championship.”
Finishing third in the nation marked another historic achievement for MAU Rugby. After capturing the FCC Men’s D1AA Championship earlier in the season, the Macaws proved they could compete with the country’s top collegiate rugby programs. Their performance in
Indianapolis reflected the continued growth of the program and set the foundation for an exciting future.
